Washing-machine



(No Model.)

H. M.--HARDGROVE.

WASHING MACHINE.

Patented Dec. .14, 1886.

I I 1 "In" *7 III UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC HENRY M. HARDGROVE, OF FONDDU DAG, WISCONSIN.

WASHING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 354,134, dated December14, 1886.

Application filed April 29, 1886.

To all whom it mar concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY M. HARDGROVE, of Fond du Lac, in the county ofFond du Lac and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Vashing Machines; and I do hereby declare the followingto be a fullfclear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art'to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

My invention relates to an improvement in washing-machines.

The object is to provide a machine which will thoroughly wash a great orsmall quantity of clothes without seriously chafing or damaging them,and which may be manufactured at a small cost.

A further object is to provide a washingmachine which may be operated byasmall outlay of strength, and which shall be durable.

XVith these ends in view my invention consists in certain features ofconstruction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafterdescribed, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view of the machine in sideelevation. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 3 is a transversesection.

A skeleton frame consisting of a pair of solid circular ends, A, havingtheir peripheries connected by a series of bars, B, is covered by asheet of zinc, O, or other suitable non-rusting material, flush with theouter edges of the ends, forming a water-tight cylinder, with theexception of an open space, D, extending, preferably, the entire lengthof the cylinder, to enable the clothes to be put in and taken out withease. The bars B are located at regular intervals apart, and the openspace D is the distance between one of the bars 13 and the second bartherefrom. The zinc or other covering is bent down over the edge of eachof the bars at the edge of the opening D, formingasmooth and durablebearing for the sides of thedoor, and offering no obstruction to thepassage of the clothes in and out. The ends (1 of the opening D arebeveled, as shown, and faced with a flexible packing, d, to render thejoint water-proof.

E represents the door. It is provided with beveled sides and ends,adapted to fit snugly Serial No. 200,520. (No model.)

against the edges of the opening, and is provided'on its beveled sidesand ends with rubber or other suitable packing, e,.to insure awater-tight joint.

A fasteningbar, F, is pivotall y secured at its middle portion to thecentral portion of the door on its outer side, and the ends of the saidbar project over the ends A of the cylinder, and are locked by a pair ofhooks, f, one on each end A,which are adapted to be swung intoengagement with the ends of the bar. A pair of set-screws. G, areadapted to work in perforations in the bar F at about equal distancesfrom the ends of the door, and bear against the surface of the door oragainst suitable bearing-plates set therein. By turning down the screwsG, after the bar F is secured by the hooks, the door E is forced homeand a tight joint secured.

The inner faces of the bars B are provided with one or more longitudinalgrooves, 12, preferably one quite deep groove, as shown, and the innerface of the door E is provided with a series of longitudinal V-shapedridges or beads, H.

The inner faces of the ends A are provided with V- shaped ridges h,radiating from or from near the centers of the ends to the faces of thebars B, and gradually increasing in height as they approach the bars. Inthe place of two of the ridges h-one at each end and eX- tending inopposite directions from the axis of the cylinder-are secured wings I,which gradually increase in height from a point or edge at or near thecenter to a foot (more or less) at the bars B.

The cylinder is provided with ajournal, K, at one end, and withajournal, k, terminating in a crank, L, at the opposite end, by means ofwhich it is suspended in a frame, M, and has a free rotary motion in itsbearings.

The frame M consists. preferably, of a pair of upright standards securedto base crossbars, m, and connected by a pair of girders, m. In theupper ends of the standards M are open slots m in which the journals K kare adapted to rest, and from which they may be readily removed.

One of the standards M is provided near its upper end and on one side,below the bearing of the journal K,with a hook or journal bearing, N,into which thejournal K may be placed when it is desired to draw thewater from the tub or cylinder through the faucet n.

A frame, 0, for the support of the wringer and for securing thestandards M against spreading, consists of a pair of standards adaptedto slide down in sockets p, formed by bands P, secured around thestandards M, and a cross bar or girder, 0. connecting the upper ends ofthe standards 0 above the tube or cylinder.

The operation is as follows: The clothes ha"- ing been placed in the tubor cylinder with the proper amount of water and soap, and the doorclosed water-tight, the cylinder is re volved by means of the crank L.The clothes will occupy the portion of the cylinder which is lowest, andthe'action of the fluted bars B and ridges on the ends will rub the dirtout of the clothes. The wings I form an important feature of theinterior, since they serve to keep the clothes constantly rolling over.thus bringing every portion of them into contact with therubbing-surfaces.

The machine may be constructed of any size desired, and may be made moreor less expensive, according to the material and finish. It consists offew parts,and does its work rapidly and well, while very little power isrequired to operate it.

It is evident that slight changes might be resorted to in the form andarrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit andscope of my invention; hence I do not wish to limit myself strictly tothe construction herein set forth; but,

Having fully described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a washing-machine, the combination, with a cylindrical rotary tubprovided witha series of longitudinal hollow-faced ribs or bars and aseries of radial bars at each end, of a pair of wings located one oneach end and extending in opposite directions from the axis of thecylinder, adapted to engage the clothes as the cylindrical tub revolvesand roll them over, substantially as set forth.

2 In a washing-machine, the combination, with the frame adapted tosupport the rotary tub or cylinder, of the wringer-supporting frameadapted to slide into slots formed by bands around the standards of themain frame and prevent said standards from spreading,

HENRY M. HARDGROVE.

YVitnesses:

ANTHONY KELLY, HENRY SHAFER.

